New Delhi, India – March 20, 2026
” Weather Turns Extreme Across North India: Snowfall in the hills and storms in the plains have triggered a 48-hour alert. IMD warns of hail, lightning, and strong winds, raising concerns over crop damage and falling temperatures. ”
India Weather Update: A sudden shift in weather patterns has intensified cold conditions across North India, with fresh snowfall in the hills and thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds forecast over several states in the next 48 hours.
The change is being driven by an active western disturbance, impacting both mountainous and plains regions. According to meteorological assessments, the system has led to falling temperatures and unstable weather conditions across multiple states.
Sudden Weather Change Brings Cold Wave Conditions
Delhi-NCR and surrounding regions experienced cloudy skies throughout the day, followed by light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in the evening. The temperature has dropped noticeably, bringing back chilly conditions.
In the higher altitudes of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, fresh snowfall has been recorded, further intensifying the cold. The impact is also being felt in nearby plains.
48-Hour Alert for Storms, Rain, and Hail
Weather authorities have issued a 24–48 hour alert, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds (30–50 km/h), rainfall, and snowfall in hilly regions including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
On March 20, states such as Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh may witness dust storms, rain, hailstorms, and lightning strikes.
Additionally, eastern and northeastern states including Odisha, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal are also under alert for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
Risk to Rabi Crops Increases
The sudden weather activity has raised concerns over potential damage to standing Rabi crops, particularly wheat and mustard. Strong winds, hailstorms, and heavy rain could impact agricultural output in affected regions.
Temperature Drops Across Regions
In Jammu & Kashmir, continuous rain and snowfall have brought back cold conditions across the valley. Meanwhile, parts of Rajasthan including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Udaipur, and Kota divisions are likely to experience storms and rainfall over the next two days.
The state has already recorded a drop of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures due to the changing weather.
Snowfall and Rain to Continue in Hill States
Weather activity is expected to persist in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, especially in higher regions. Areas such as Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Chamba, and Kangra may witness heavy snowfall and rain in the coming days.
